"It's so hard to mount and win a campaign, and even then, they stay. Shareholders need to mobilize for a second round. Our work is far from complete"

When Hewlett-Packard announced to its shareholders and employees—including hundreds of staff at its Boise campus—that its chairman and two directors were resigning, the company painted a picture of corporate harmony in the decision.

"Today's announcement is a testament to our chairman's and departing board members' statesmanship and sterling professional standards," the company said in a statement earlier this month.

But even when Lane was forced out as chairman, he still refused to leave the HP board.

Boards "are like the Hotel California," HP shareholder William Patterson told the Times. "Directors check in but they never check out. It's so hard to mount and win a campaign, and even then, they stay.Shareholders need to mobilize for a second round. Our work is far from complete."